Why Solo Travel Transformed My Outdoor Experience

It’s been about a week now since I returned home from my last solo excursion. Again Algonquin Park was my destination. My goal during this adventure, main goal anyway, was to do some late season trout fishing. For the last couple of years I’ve become somewhat obsessed at tracking down the elusive brook trout.

I’ve being going into the park now for seven years, although it seems longer and yet also shorter at the same time. That is hard to explain. I’ve looked back and always wondered why I never started this hobby of backcountry camping earlier in life. It stated as one trip a year for the first few years and now has developed into a lifestyle. I’m fortunate to have someone in my life who not only understands why I go, but also encourages me to get out there.

People have often asked me why I do this? The answer is simple, I love it. I enjoy go out with friends and family when they have the time. Sitting around a campfire and discussing whatever topic comes to mind. There’s nothing quite like it, life at its simplest. Depending on one another for companionship, navigating terrain or catching food. When there’s no other distractions in life you can truly get the best out of humans. What a demanding manual trip brings out of someone, learning something new about every time you challenge yourself and step out of that comfort zone. Everyone on this earth has the potential for so much more.

Then there is the solo traveller, which I have slowly gained the skills to become. Each new adventure brings with it different obstacles, along with anxiety. Not the same type of anxiety that comes with the day to day thoughts of cancer. This actually takes my mind far away from those emotions and enters in a whole new rush of the unknown. I have been solo canoe camping now for three years and every year I have tried to up my game to longer and more difficult trips. The fear of not knowing how long I will still be able to do this drives me to continually challenge myself. Learning new skills along the way and also from the mistakes as you’ll see in my latest video. Being humbled is a valuable tool and with age easier to accept.

Travelling alone means doing things on your own schedule, but also relying on yourself when things go sideways and learning not to panic. For me it has been invaluable, taking that breath checking my bearings, map and compass and finding the route I’m after. I not going to lie and tell you I never get stressed out and overreact when driving or travelling. Just that the amount of times it happens has diminished significantly. Looking back I can see sometimes riding in the car with me would have been well…to put it nicely, unpleasant. Anyway, knowing that you’re the only one to count on when out on these adventures, for me only enhances the trips. What’s a trip without a little adversity? I’ve made wrong turns, missed landmarks, gone off trial. Do I panic sometimes? Absolutely, then I remember to breathe, stay calm and well? I’m still here to this day writing, with no major injuries or rescue satires to speak of.

Another benefit after a long day of travel and the reward of just completing a days travel of just human power by canoeing, portaging or hiking. Is to sit and watch the sunset in the true sense of nature out in the wilderness. There’s nothing quite like it. I grab a book and find a suitable spot, usually on an outcrop overlooking the water. With nothing but quiet and no distractions I can become immersed in the story I’m reading as the pages easily turn from chapter to chapter. Grabbing my journal inspiration tugs at me as I scribble down my thoughts on the day. Practising poetry and recently reflecting on my story and how I got here, writing about the future I want to see. Practicing my public speaking skills to the squirrels and loons, they seem to appreciate it. Unless the loons call is for me to shut up and the squirrels only wanting food? But, who cares I’m here and I’m alone.

It takes some time, for sure to be able to solo trek through the bush. Although my season isn’t quite done yet the clock is ticking. The way time moves so quickly now anyways next spring will be right around the corner and with that I already have some more challenging solo trips planned. I have become comfortable in places like Algonquin and parts of Temagami, so longer more daunting treks will be on the calendar next year. As long as my health holds up I will continue to march forward, remembering to keep one eye looking over my shoulder remembering where I came from.

Ask Yourself A Couple Questions

• Am I doing what I Love?
• If not how can I implement that into my schedule?
• Have I challenged myself recently? Stepping out of my comfort zone?

I think you may surprise yourself and the way you approach the day by simply answering these questions. As simple as it may seem it’s very tough to break a routine, I struggle every day. Many times not asking myself these questions. Writing them down reminds me how important and difficult it is to change a habit. Just one question at a time…

Be sure to check out my latest solo adventure. Don’t forget to subscribe, like and drop me a comment on any or all my social platforms as it helps grow this channel. Cheers, Steve